Traditional systems in a contemporary context - Livelihoods, biodiversity and global change in Portuguese cork oak woodlands

Abstract

Cork oak woodlands are a complex socio-ecological system which has been managed for centuries for different goods and uses. This woodlands are considered amongst the best preserved low intensity farming systems, and its persistence suggests a sustainable system that simultaneously generates environmental and social benefits. However, recent changes in socio-economic and climate conditions are threatening the woodlands equilibrium and the resources it was originally designed to provide. This study aimed to understand if cork oak woodlands can persist under current socio-economic and ecologic conditions and if so, to which extent the system will continue to maintain biodiversity while securing livelihoods of people that depend on it. To do so, I measured past and present interaction strength between the social and ecological component and how they are responding to ongoing changes. The results suggest that the cork oak woodlands are likely to persist as the system seems to be responding to changes by enhancing novel uses and goods of the system and that economically it is still profitable. However both traditional and new are increasingly benefiting outsiders, whilst locals turn to other sources of income. Further, the ecological system is being stressed by climate conditions and cork oak tree health and cork quality may be decreasing. Biodiversity values for the study area where lower than expected for multi-functional woodlands. Thus at the present, the system is not delivering synergies between its human and environmental components.